Equine Guelph has announced that Julie Walker and Renée Kierans have been selected to represent the horse racing industry as Industry Ambassadors of an online training initiative this winter focused on industry-identified healthcare priorities.
Trainers, grooms and owners will learn how to maximize horse health and help their racehorses reach full potential through free access to two online courses developed by Equine Guelph: Racehorse Respiratory Health and Racehorse Gut Health & Ulcer/Colic Prevention.
Julie Walker is joining Equine Guelph as the Standardbred Industry Ambassador for the first time. Walker grew up in harness racing and has been training horses since she was 19 years old. Hailing from the Walker family, famed for their work with trotters, Walker has taken up the family reins and is a contending trainer on the Ontario circuit.
“I have taken these courses from Equine Guelph and learned a lot of important lessons,” said Walker. “I look forward to being your Standardbred Ambassador and learning even more about the equine athletes we are lucky enough to work with every day.”
Renée Kierans is back again for her fourth year as Thoroughbred Industry Ambassador. She has been involved in the horse racing industry for close to 40 years. Kierans has worn many caps such as exercise rider, pony rider, outrider, starting gate crew, groom school instructor, trainer and owner. She worked for 12 years as an on-air broadcaster and handicapper for Woodbine and Mohawk, covering both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.
“I'm excited to be your Thoroughbred Ambassador again, and we can all learn more about the horse together,” said Kierans.
As Industry Ambassadors, Walker and Kierans will act as peer helpers in the two online courses. They will be online to ask practical questions to industry experts on behalf of their sector and encourage lively, robust online discussions between students from the different racing sectors.
Free racing-exclusive courses include:
- Racehorse Respiratory Health: Jan. 27 - Feb. 7, 2025
- Racehorse Gut Health & Ulcer/Colic Prevention: Feb. 24 - March 7, 2025
Sponsored by Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Ontario Racing, Standardbred Canada and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the two online courses are available free on a first-come, first-serve basis. For those who have never taken an online course before, no prior online learning experience is required.
(Equine Guelph)